In the ever-expanding library of football literature, Felix White's "Do You Believe In Miracles?" stands as a refreshing departure from conventional sports writing. White, better known for his musical endeavours with The Maccabees and his cricket podcast "Tailenders," brings an outsider's curiosity and a musician's lyricism to this ambitious chronicle of the FA Cup's 2024/25 season.
The book's premise is beautifully simple: follow the winning team from each round, creating a meandering journey through English football's sprawling ecosystem. This approach allows White to paint a vivid portrait of football culture across all levels, from muddy non-league pitches to the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium.
What sets this work apart is White's keen eye for detail and his ability to weave together the personal and the universal. His background as a musician and cricket enthusiast offers a unique perspective, allowing him to see football culture through a fresh lens. The author's journey from burger vans at local grounds to the pristine facilities of Premier League clubs serves as a metaphor for the FA Cup itself—a competition that still somehow manages to unite the disparate elements of English football.
White's prose truly shines in his intimate conversations with the game's various characters. Whether he's interviewing a part-time goalkeeper who works as an accountant during the week or chatting with Premier League stars, he maintains the same level of genuine curiosity and respect. These conversations reveal the human stories behind the scores and statistics, reminding us why the FA Cup continues to capture imaginations despite the modern game's commercialisation.
The book's structure, following the natural progression of the tournament, creates an organic narrative arc that builds tension as the competition advances. Each chapter feels like both a self-contained story and part of a larger tapestry, much like the tournament itself. White's reflections on the sport's socioeconomic disparities are particularly poignant, addressing the growing gulf between grassroots football and the elite game without becoming preachy or losing sight of the joy that unites all levels of the sport.
Perhaps the book's greatest achievement is its ability to capture the ineffable magic of the FA Cup—that peculiarly English phenomenon where dreams of glory persist despite all rational evidence to the contrary. White's background in music and cricket, rather than being a hindrance, allows him to approach football's traditions and mythologies with the wonder of an outsider while maintaining the passion of a true believer.
"Do You Believe In Miracles?" is more than just a sports book; it's a love letter to English football's soul, a sociological study of modern Britain, and a reminder that in an age of super leagues and state ownership, the beautiful game's heart still beats strongest at its grassroots. White has crafted a work that will resonate with both die-hard football fans and those who simply appreciate excellent storytelling.
One man's epic FA Cup odyssey from muddy pitches to Wembley,
capturing English football's beating heart. — Soccerbooks
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 [Delivered to You Second Week September 2025]
Publisher: Cassell
Published: August 28, 2025
Price: £22
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1788405595
ISBN-13: 978-1788405591
Dimensions: 234 x 153 (mm) 
